2019 Aprilia RSV4 RF LE Guide

WORLD SUPERBIKE CHAMPION.

2019 Aprilia RSV4 RF LE:

As if the RSV4 RF didn’t already impress, we amped up the exclusivity and created a model only available in North America – the RSV4 RF Limited Edition.

Donning graphics that celebrate Aprilia history and Italian passion, the RSV4 RF LE arrives with winglets – the first production superbike to do so – and the unit number laser inscribed on the steering plate.

All else is pure RSV4 RF performance, which in its latest edition is a second faster faster than before, thanks to the new Öhlins suspension, a Brembo braking system, and the new APRc electronic controls package that includes cornering ABS and clutchless downshifts. The 201-horsepower V4 powerplant is paired with chassis architecture worthy of seven World Superbike titles, the RSV4 RF LE creating performance like no other.

SPECIAL VERSION OF THE EXTRAORDINARY CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING ITALIAN V4 MAKES ITS DÉBUT, EXCLUSIVE FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET

NUMBERED EDITION OF JUST 125 UNITS, FOR THE FIRST TIME, RSV4 RF LIMITED EDITION ADOPTS WINGLETS, AERODYNAMIC SPOILERS DEVELOPED BY APRILIA RACING, AND STANDS OUT FOR LIVERY INSPIRED BY APRILIA’S FIRST SUCCESSES IN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP GRAND PRIX MOTORCYCLE RACING

The history of the Aprilia RSV4 is one of the most capable, and victorious superbikes ever for a single model in the factory derivative category. From 2009 to the present, this iconic Italian V4 has collected seven world titles in the World Superbike championship, sealed further – in the 2015 season – by the FIM CUP Superstock 1000 Rider and Manufacturer titles. This is an extraordinary racing career that stems from the technical leadership of the factory model, reconfirmed constantly by its multiple wins in comparative tests organized by the most authoritative international motorcycle periodicals.

To coincide with the Grand Prix of the Americas, during the third round of the 2018 MotoGP World Championship season, Aprilia celebrates this extraordinary bike’s tight bond with racing by presenting a special version of the RSV4 RF in a numbered edition, reserved exclusively for the North American market.

Powered by the 1000cc 65° V4 engine and capable of 201 HP, Aprilia RSV4 RF Limited Edition is characterized by new graphics, inspired by the three colors of the Italian flag and the livery of the Aprilia AF1 250 that Loris Reggiani rode in 1987 to achieve the first of Aprilia’s 294 world championship wins in Grand Prix racing. These are graphics that have by now become an icon in Aprilia’s sporting history, with the big “A” enveloping the side fairings, often used to distinguish “race replica” models and now used as a sort of “trademark” for the Factory Works program. This is a one-of-a-kind project, born to make the technology and know-how of the Racing Department from Noale available to all those who intend to compete at top levels in factory derivative championships or for those who want to have an RSV4 with optimized performance for track use.

A further distinction of the Aprilia RSV4 RF Limited Edition is represented by the winglets, the aerodynamic spoilers made of carbon fiber. This is technology developed by Aprilia Racing directly on the RS-GP prototype used in the MotoGP World Championship and which, for the first time ever, is now also available for the Aprilia RSV4 too.

The final indication of this model’s exclusivity is the “Limited Edition” logo and the unit number laser inscribed on the steering plate.

What we did was simple. We took the already popular RSV4 RF, with its V4-MP multimedia and Öhlins Racing suspension, and created a super exclusive platform for Aprilia enthusiasts.

Limited to 100 in the USA, the RSV4 RF LE is the first production superbike to arrive with winglets – aerodynamic spoilers designed on the MotoGP RS-GP prototypes ridden by Aprilia Gresini Team pilots Aleix Espargaro and Scott Redding.

Due to the MotoGP influence, what better place to launch the bike than Austin’s Circuit of the Americas during round three of the 2018 MotoGP Championship? The RSV4 RF LE was the center of attraction at Aprilia’s setup at COTA, and this attention will continue for each new exclusive owner.

65° V4 Unrivaled Power in Limited Edition Body

Born out of the soul of Noale, the Aprilia RSV4 RF LE’s Euro 4 engine produces 201 horsepower – 16 more than its predecessor – and was designed by the Aprilia Racing Department, the same group that built the FIM World SBK Championship winning RSV4s.

The unique characteristics of the RSV4, including its narrow V4 engine, remains unchanged. When something works this well, why mess with it? The RSV4 was the first full-scale production motorcycle to arrive with the narrow V4, providing many more advantages over a simple V-Twin or Inline-Four design.

It is also the more powerful and revolutionary engine to every arrive out of Noale. The other huge benefits of the RSV4’s engine design is its natural light weight, and its ability to perfectly pair with the superbike frame and the latest in Aprilia electronics.

Superbike Frame with Adjustability of a True Racer

With 54 World Titles, Aprilia is known not just for high performance engines and savory Italian looks, but also the best handling in the world of high-performance motorcycles. Aprilia’s ability to create one of the best chassis for superbike performance is exactly what helps its dominance in the FIM World Superbike Championship.

One particular of chassis design that arrives on the RSV4 RF LE is the multiple adjustments directly from the factory. Aprilia features the only superbike chassis that allows the rider to adjust the engine position in the frame, and change the headstock angle, the swingarm pivot, and the rear end height. These chassis adjustments are paired with fully adjustable Öhlins suspension, of course. All these elements combine to create a real racing motorcycle.

The RSV4 RF LE’s sophisticated suspension systems allow for fine adjustments both in hydraulics and spring preload. The bike features the latest generation Öhlins NIX fork unit and TIX shock absorber; the latter is operated by new progressive linkage that increases the reaction lime of the shock absorber itself. There is also an adjustable steering damper, also supplied by Ohlins.

On the new RSV4, Aprilia introduces important changes in the Brembo braking system: the front relies on a pair of new 5mm thick steel discs with diameter increased to 330mm, which are gripped by monobloc M50 calipers filled with new superior friction coefficient brake pads.

Advanced APRC: Unrivaled & Patented

The top off this exclusive package, the Aprilia RSV4 RF Limited Edition has the latest in dynamic electronic controls that are designed and patented by Aprilia: APRC (Aprilia Performance Ride Control). This electronics suite is derived directly from the winning technology in World Superbike, the most complete and refined of those currently available on the market, and includes:
•ATC (Aprilia Traction Control)
•AWC (Aprilia Wheelie Control)
•ALC (Aprilia Launch Control)
•AQS (Aprilia Quick Shift)

APRC – Aprilia Performance Ride Control
The dynamic control suite derived directly from the winning technology used in the world Superbike series, the most complete and refined of those currently available on the market.

This dynamic control suite is still the only of its kind to offer auto-calibration and wheelie control and includes: ATC (Aprilia Traction Control), AWC (Aprilia Wheelie Control), ALC (Aprilia Launch Control) and AQS (Aprilia Quick Shift).

ATC Aprilia Traction Control
The exclusive traction control system developed by Aprilia to get maximum grip out of any type of surface and to give the rider greater confidence while at the same time improving safety.

Two speed sensors allow the control unit to determine bike speed at any given time and use a sophisticated CAN-bus communication system to interact with the engine ECU. If the rear wheel is found to be rotating faster than the front wheel, the control unit determines the slippage of the rear wheel and interacts with the ignition advance and injection timing systems to limit the amount of torque produced by the engine thereby preventing loss of grip.

The 8 different settings (3 on the version not combined with the APRC package) can be selected for different types of road surface and riding style. They allow the rider to extract the utmost performance from the bike whether on the track or provide enhanced safety on the road.

AWC Aprilia Wheelie Control
Exploiting the full power of modern superbikes down to the very last unit of horsepower is every rider’s dream. Aprilia’s AWC (Aprilia Wheelie Control) has achieved extraordinary results. Thanks to the exclusive Aprilia patented Wheelie Detection System, the AWC is able to “tell” when a wheelie begins and ends and kicks in to soften wheel contact with the road.

Smooth, soft wheelie management avoids harsh power cuts or pick-up, providing perfect acceleration control. The AWC system is activated from the instrument panel and can be adjusted independently from other control systems choosing from three settings to better meet rider requirements.

ALC Aprilia Launch Control
Launch system for track use only with three settings.

The perfect start is yet another racer’s dream, because a good start frequently means you’re half way towards a victory. When the lights go out however, handling the huge power of modern superbikes is no easy task. Unless the bike can look after itself to provide the best possible start.

The ALC (Aprilia Launch Control) system ensures an instant start as the lights go out, applying full power to the road to assist the rider in this critical moment of the race. All the rider needs to do is open the throttle wide and release the clutch as he normally would then shift up through the gears.

The ALC system has three settings that can be selected from the instrument panel menu, then it must be “armed” at standstill, by squeezing both traction control buttons on the left handlebar joystick at the same time.

AQS Aprilia Quick Shift
For ultra-fast electronic gear shifting without closing the throttle or using the clutch.

When you’re after the fastest possible lap performance, you can’t afford to waste even one thousandth of a second in an apparently simple operation like shifting gears.

The RSV4 APRC features an electronic gear shifting system known as Aprilia Quick Shift which delays spark advance for an instant and then gradually restores it, making for super-fast shifting with no need to close the throttle or use the clutch.

The system works hand in hand with the new closer ratio gearbox to limit any drop in rpm during shifting for faster lap times. To optimise AQS performance, Aprilia engineers have fine-tuned the “cut” in power based on the revs at which a gear change occurs.

RbW Ride by Wire
A highly sophisticated electronic throttle that at one time was the preserve of competition bikes. Now serves to help the rider get the utmost performance from the bike.

The RbW system communicates with the engine ECU to get the best from the entire power band to provide instant smooth acceleration from low and medium revs right up to top speed. An efficient engine also offers the great advantage of lower fuel consumption.

APRC System (Aprilia Performance Ride Control), which includes Traction Control (ATC), Wheelie Control (AWC), Launch Control (ALC), cruise control (ACC) and speed limiter (APT), all of which can be configured and deactivated independently

APRC System (Aprilia Performance Ride Control), which includes Traction Control (ATC), Wheelie Control (AWC), Launch Control (ALC), cruise control (ACC) and speed limiter (APT), all of which can be configured and deactivated independently

"Mr. Totalmotorcycle". Owner and Founder of Total Motorcycle. Supporting over Motorcyclists and Motorcycling for 19 great years. Total Motorcycle is my pride and joy and being able to reach out 300 million people has been incredible but I could not have done it without the support of my visitors, readers and members, thank you so much! You are making a difference to millions of riders worldwide. Thank you.

Related Articles

Following their winning performance at the Merzouga Rally in Africa, Yamalube Yamaha Official Rally Team are geared up for the Atacama Rally 2017 in Chile. Joining the team of Xavier de Soultrait and […]

INDOOR FLAT-TRACK RACING THAT’S FLAT OUT FUN See the best of indoor, flat track motorcycle racing as riders from both traditional and special classes compete on the Dr. Pepper-covered track, creating the best of tight, bar-to-bar […]

Bringing his 2017 Hard Enduro season to a highly-positive close, Graham Jarvis has placed third overall at the 50th running of the Roof of Africa event in Lesotho, southern Africa. With the traditional ‘Round the […]

Thank you for Your Support

Motorcyclists have long championed riding as their main road to stress relief and positive mental health. Today, the results of a neurobiological study conducted by a team of three researchers from UCLA’s Semel Institute for […]

Total Motorcycle reviewer, Bruce Ross, was at the 2019 Calgary Motorcycle Show to cover the first 2019 motorcycle show for our readers! Exciting new 2019 motorcycles, major manufacturers, stunt shows and vendors galore make this […]

CES 2019 crowd shocker! Harley-Davidson introduces new electric motorcycle concepts and 2020 Harley-Davidson LiveWire at CES 2019 in Las Vegas. At Total Motorcycle we are not sure how our readers and riders will react to […]